Foster + Partners break ground on Poland’s tallest tower

Construction has begun on Varso Tower, a skyscraper designed by Foster + Partners that will be the tallest tower in Poland once complete. International real estate developer HB Reavis is leading the construction of the flagship development, which will comprise three buildings, the tallest of which will top out at 54 stories. Located in Warsaw, Varso will employ energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies and will be the first project of its scale in Poland to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification.

Foster + Partners designed the 310-meter-tall Varso Tower to include large and flexible modern office spaces, as well as a two-story restaurant and an observation deck that will be one of Europe’s highest at 230 meters. The building will also include shops, restaurants, and cafes on the ground levels that will connect to vibrant covered internal streets open to the public year-round. Hermanowicz Rewski Architects designed the two smaller office buildings that flank the Varso Tower, which will feature green roof-topped terraces.

The 140,000-square-meter Varso development is being constructed next to Warsaw’s Central Railway Station and is expected to spur new life and development into the centrally located brownfield area. “We believe that Varso Tower will have a unique place on Warsaw’s skyline, but most importantly it will establish a new destination capable of revitalising this urban quarter, right in the heart of the city. The building contains high-quality and flexible office space, but it also makes an important contribution to the city with its glazed public courtyard at ground level and the spectacular viewing platforms with restaurants at the top. These public galleries offer panoramic views of the city to everyone. We are really looking forward to construction,” said Grant Brooker, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, leading the design team in London. The development is scheduled for completion in 2020.